(Warren, OH, Feb. 14, 2017)—The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center demands that the City of Warren and the Warren City School District end involvement in a “regional prayer gathering” in which the mayor of Warren calls his citizens to prayer on various social media pages.

The American Humanist Association became aware of the “regional prayer gathering” through a concerned citizen that notified the Appiginani Humanist Legal Center for assistance. In the various posts on social media, public facilities, such as the Warren G. Harding High School, were being advertised as venues for prayer services. The prayer gathering, as outlined by the Mayor, is intended to “follow the Biblical admonition” in prayer, a clear and overt violation of the Establishment Clause, which demands separation of church and state.

“Public officials in the course of their duties should not be promoting religion or religious services,” said David Niose, legal director of the American Humanist Association. “The mayor’s invitation to residents to this prayer gathering is a clear violation of the Establishment Clause.”

The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center demands that the City of Warren and the Warren City School District stop the regional prayer gathering. The legal center’s letter can be viewed here.

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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Special thanks to the Louis J. Appignani Foundation for their support of the Appignani Humanist Legal Center.